U.S. patent application number 15/568863 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for dispensing head for aerosol container provided with blocking means.
This patent application is currently assigned to LINDAL FRANCE SAS. The applicant listed for this patent is LINDAL FRANCE SAS. Invention is credited to Herve Bodet, Jerome Peltier.
Application Number | 20180118444 15/568863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55970959 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180118444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bodet; Herve ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
DISPENSING HEAD FOR AEROSOL CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH BLOCKING
MEANS
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispensing head for an aerosol
container provided with a valve. The dispensing head is made up of
a cover (2) to which an actuating member (1) is secured, provided
with a push button (11) which can be moved between a non-depressed
rest position and a depressed actuating position. According to the
invention, the actuating member (1) is provided with a blocking
element (12) which can pivot between an unlocked position in which
said element does not block the movement of the push button (11)
relative to the cover (2) and a locked position in which said
element blocks the push button in the rest position by preventing
said push button from entering the actuating position.
Inventors: |
Bodet; Herve; (Verdun,
FR) ; Peltier; Jerome; (Batilly, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LINDAL FRANCE SAS |
Briey |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LINDAL FRANCE SAS
Briey
FR
|
Family ID: |
55970959 |
Appl. No.: |
15/568863 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 22, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/059100 |
371 Date: |
October 24, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/22 20130101;
B65D 83/205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 83/22 20060101
B65D083/22; B65D 83/20 20060101 B65D083/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 24, 2015 |
FR |
1553681 |
Claims
1. A dispensing head for an aerosol container provided with a
valve, said dispensing head comprising: a cover, and an actuating
member fastened to the cover, in the actuating member is provided
with a push button which can be moved between a non-depressed rest
position and a depressed actuating position, and wherein the
actuating member is provided with a blocking element which is
pivotable about an axis of rotation between an unlocked position in
which it the blocking element does not block the movement of the
push button relative to the cover and a locked position in which
the blocking element blocks the push button in the rest position by
preventing the push button from going into the actuating
position.
2. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the push
button is provided with an outlet conduit for a product to be
removed, a first end of the outlet conduit being provided with a
connection intended to cooperate with a valve of an aerosol
container and a second end of the outlet conduit being intended to
spray the product into the environment, and in the locked position,
the blocking element cooperates with a blocking portion of the
first end of the outlet conduit.
3. The dispensing head according to claim 2, the connection
comprises an end-piece designed to cooperate with a stem of a male
valve, the blocking element acting on a free end of the end-piece
in the locked position.
4. The dispensing head according to claim 2, wherein the connection
comprises a rod adapted to cooperate with a female valve, the first
end of the outlet conduit being provided, on an outer face of the
first end, with a shoulder designed so that the blocking element
acts on the shoulder in the locked position.
5. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the push
button is provided with a rib parallel to a displacement movement
of the push button between the rest position and the actuating
position; the blocking element is provided with a bearing surface
which, in the unlocked position, is not in a path followed by the
rib when the push button is moved from the rest position to the
actuating position, and which, in the locked position, is in the
path so that the rib comes to abut against the bearing surface when
the push button is moved toward the actuating position, without
being able to reach this position.
6. The dispensing head according to claim 5, wherein the rib is
placed on an inner face of the push button.
7. The dispensing head according to claim 5, wherein the rib is
placed in alignment with an edge of the push button.
8. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein a pivoting
portion of the blocking element has a notch surrounded by a
cylinder portion oriented toward the push button, and the push
button has, on a lower face of the push button, a blocking rib
parallel to a displacement movement of the push button between the
rest position and the actuating position, wherein a height of the
cylinder portion is selected so that, in the locked position, an
upper edge of the cylinder portion is in contact or almost in
contact with a lower edge of the blocking rib so that the push
button cannot go from the rest position to the actuating
position.
9. The dispensing head according to claim 1 intended for actuating
a valve by means of a rod, wherein the blocking element comprises a
pivoting portion articulated on the actuating member by a joint,
and the pivoting portion is provided with a control element
accessible from outside the cover, and a blocking surface provided
with a notch in the shape of a circular arc, whose dimensions are
sufficient to allow the rod that serves for actuating the valve to
pass through, but not the blocking portion of the first end of the
outlet conduit.
10. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the blocking
surface of the blocking element is surrounded by a cylinder portion
dimensioned so that the pivoting portion cannot pivot beyond the
locked position.
11. The dispensing head according to claim 9, wherein the cover is
provided with a slot facing which the control element is located
whatever the pivoting position of the pivoting portion between the
unlocked position and the locked position, the control element
being accessible from the outside through said slot.
12. The dispensing head according to claim 11, wherein a plate is
provided facing the slot to hide the inside of the cover from the
user.
13. The dispensing head according to claim 12, wherein the plate is
placed in the cover and the pivoting portion is provided with a
groove whose width is at least equal to the thickness of the plate
and in which the free end of the plate is placed.
14. The dispensing head according to claim 12, wherein the plate is
arranged on the pivoting portion, between the groove and the
control element, so that the plate is placed facing the opening
whatever the pivoting position of the pivoting portion.
15. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the rib is
placed on an inner face of the push button (11), radially relative
to the axis of rotation.
16. The dispensing head according to claim 2, wherein the push
button is provided with a rib parallel to a displacement movement
of the push button between the rest position and the actuating
position; the blocking element is provided with a bearing surface
which, in the unlocked position, is not in a path followed by the
rib when the push button is moved from the rest position to the
actuating position, and which, in the locked position, is in the
path so that the rib comes to abut against the bearing surface when
the push button is moved toward the actuating position, without
being able to reach this position.
17. The dispensing head according to claim 16, wherein the rib is
placed on an inner face of the push button.
18. The dispensing head according to claim 16, wherein the rib is
placed in alignment with an edge of the push button.
19. The dispensing head according to claim 2, wherein a pivoting
portion of the blocking element has a notch surrounded by a
cylinder portion oriented toward the push button, and the push
button has, on a lower face of the push button, a blocking rib
parallel to a displacement movement of the push button between the
rest position and the actuating position, wherein a height of the
cylinder portion is selected so that, in the locked position, an
upper edge of the cylinder portion is in contact or almost in
contact with a lower edge of the blocking rib so that the push
button cannot go from the rest position to the actuating
position.
20. The dispensing head according to claim 2 intended for actuating
a valve by means of a rod, wherein the blocking element comprises a
pivoting portion articulated on the actuating member by a joint,
and the pivoting portion is provided with a control element
accessible from outside the cover, and a blocking surface provided
with a notch in the shape of a circular arc, whose dimensions are
sufficient to allow the rod that serves for actuating the valve to
pass through, but not the blocking portion of the first end of the
outlet conduit.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing head for an aerosol
container provided with a valve. The dispensing head is constituted
by a cover on which is fixed an actuating member provided with a
push button that can be moved between a non-depressed rest position
and a depressed actuating position. The valve is either a female
valve or a male valve. In the case of female valves, the dispensing
head is provided with a dispensing rod (stem) which penetrates the
valve to actuate it. On the contrary, in the case of male valves,
the dispensing rod is an integral part of the valve.
[0002] In accordance with the invention, the actuating member is
provided with a blocking element pivotable about an axis of
rotation between an unlocked position in which it does not block
the movement of the push button relative to the cover and a locked
position in which it blocks the push button in the rest position by
preventing it from going into the actuating position.
[0003] In a first variant embodiment, the push button is provided
with an outlet conduit for the product to be removed, the first end
of the outlet conduit being provided with connecting means intended
to cooperate with the valve of an aerosol container, and the second
end of the outlet conduit being intended to spray the product into
the environment. The blocking element, in the blocked position,
cooperates with a blocking portion of the first end of the outlet
conduit.
[0004] In the case of male valves, the connecting means are
constituted by an end-piece designed to cooperate with the rod of a
male valve, the blocking element acting on the free end of the
end-piece in the locked position. In the case of female valves, the
connecting means are constituted by a rod designed to cooperate
with a female valve, the first end of the outlet conduit being
provided, on its outside face, with a shoulder designed so that the
blocking element acts on this shoulder in the locked position.
[0005] In a second variant embodiment, the push button is provided
with a rib parallel to the displacement movement of the push button
between the rest position and the actuating position. In addition,
the blocking element is provided with a bearing surface which, in
the unlocked position, is not in the path followed by the rib when
the push button is displaced from the rest position to the
actuating position, and which, in the locked position, is in the
said path so that the rib comes to abut against the bearing surface
when the push button is moved in the direction of the actuating
position, without being able to reach this position. The rib may be
placed on the inner face of the push button, preferably radially
relative to the axis of rotation. The rib may also be placed in
alignment with the edge of the push button.
[0006] In a third variant embodiment, the pivoting portion has a
notch surrounded by a cylinder portion directed toward the push
button. In addition, the push button has on its lower face a
blocking rib parallel to the displacement movement of the push
button between the rest position and the actuating position, the
height of the cylinder portion being chosen so that, in the locked
position, the upper edge of the cylinder portion is in contact, or
almost in contact, with the lower edge of the blocking rib so that
the push button cannot go from the rest position to the actuating
position. By "almost in contact", it should be understood that
there is clearance between the top of the cylinder portion and the
blocking rib, which clearance can even leave the possibility of
moving the push button in the direction of the actuating position,
but only to a very small extent, so that this displacement is too
short to actuate the valve.
[0007] The blocking element can be constituted by a pivoting part
articulated on the actuating member by means of a joint. The
pivoting part can be provided with a control element accessible
from the outside of the cover and a blocking surface provided with
an arc-shaped notch, the dimensions of which are sufficient to
allow the rod used to actuate the valve to pass through, but not
the blocking portion of the first end of the outlet conduit.
[0008] The blocking surface of the blocking element can be
surrounded by a cylinder portion dimensioned so that the pivoting
part cannot pivot beyond the locked position.
[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the cover is provided
with a slot facing which the control element is located whatever
the pivoting position of the pivoting portion between the unlocked
position and the locked position, the control element being
accessible from the outside through this slot. It is then
preferable to provide a plate facing the slot in order to hide the
inside of the cover from the user.
[0010] The control element is then placed between the slot and the
plate. The plate may be placed in the cover, in which case the
pivoting part may be provided with a groove whose width is at least
equal to the thickness of the plate and in which the free end of
the said plate is placed. It is also possible to place the plate on
the pivoting portion between the slot and the control element, so
that the plate is positioned facing the opening whatever the
pivoting position of the pivoting portion.
[0011] The invention is explained in more detail by way of the
following figures:
[0012] FIG. 1: an exploded (a) rear and (b) front perspective view
of a first embodiment of the dispensing head of the invention in
the locked position;
[0013] FIG. 2: the actuating member of the dispensing head of FIG.
1 in the position as extracted from the mold;
[0014] FIG. 3: the actuating member of the dispensing head of FIG.
1 seen from below (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the
locked position;
[0015] FIG. 4: the actuating member of the dispensing head of FIG.
1 seen from the side (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the
locked position;
[0016] FIG. 5: the actuating member of the dispensing head of FIG.
1 seen in perspective (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the
locked position;
[0017] FIG. 6: the cover of the dispensing head of FIG. 1 seen from
behind;
[0018] FIG. 7: the cover of the dispensing head of FIG. 1 seen from
below;
[0019] FIG. 8: the cover of the dispensing head of FIG. 1 seen from
the side in cross-section;
[0020] FIG. 9: the cover of the dispensing head of FIG. 1 seen from
behind in cross-section;
[0021] FIG. 10: the dispensing head of FIG. 1 seen from below (a)
in the unlocked position and (b) in the locked position;
[0022] FIG. 11: the dispensing head of FIG. 1 mounted on an aerosol
container (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the locked
position;
[0023] FIG. 12: an enlarged schematic view in cross-section of the
dispensing head of FIG. 1 in the closed position seen from
behind;
[0024] FIG. 13: a partial cross-section through the dispensing head
of FIG. 1 (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the locked
position;
[0025] FIG. 14: an exploded perspective view, (a) from behind and
(b) from the front of a second embodiment of the dispensing head of
the invention in the locked position;
[0026] FIG. 15: the actuating member of the dispensing head of FIG.
14 seen from below (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the
locked position;
[0027] FIG. 16: the actuating member of the dispensing head of FIG.
14 seen in perspective (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the
locked position;
[0028] FIG. 17: a cross-sectional view of the dispensing head of
FIG. 14 at the pivoting part, seen from below (a) in the unlocked
position and (b) in the locked position;
[0029] FIG. 18: a perspective view from below of the actuating
member of FIG. 14 (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the
locked position;
[0030] FIG. 19: a vertical cross-sectional view of the dispensing
head of FIG. 14 (a) in the unlocked position and (b) in the locked
position.
[0031] FIGS. 1 to 13 show a first embodiment and FIGS. 14 to 19
show a second embodiment very close to the first embodiment. The
same parts have the same references.
[0032] The dispensing head is made up of two main parts: an
actuating member (1) and a cover (2).
[0033] The cover 2 has a general shape of a bombshell and has a
vertical axis of symmetry (A1), which is shown schematically by the
cross in FIG. 7 and to which the adjectives "radial" and "axial"
used hereinafter refer. An opening (21) intended for the passage of
a push button (11) of the actuating member is provided at the top
of the cover. The edge of the opening may be marked by a vertical
flange (211) which is oriented downwards. The cover is provided
with an outlet orifice (22) to allow the product exiting from the
nozzle of the dispensing head to pass through. The inner face of
the cover is provided with a bulge (23) for securing it to the
crimped edge of an aerosol bottle. Also on its inside face, the
cover is provided with two vertical fastening ribs (24) which are
parallel to each other and placed on opposite sides of the outlet
orifice (22). They are oriented away from the cover in the
direction of the inside. These fastening ribs (24) are each
provided with a vertical slot (241) that opens onto the lower edge
of the fastening ribs while flaring slightly. In the example shown
here, the vertical ribs begin at the inner face of the cover and
end near the opening (21).
[0034] Opposite the outlet orifice (22), the cover is provided with
a horizontal slot (25) located between the bulge (23) and the
opening (21). A vertical guide plate (26) is placed inside the
cover, facing the horizontal slot (25). It is attached by its upper
portion to the inner face of the cover, above the horizontal slot
(25), and it extends at least to the lower edge of the slot, or
even a little lower. The plate preferably has the shape of a
circular arc. A groove is thus formed between the guide plate (26)
and the inner wall of the cover at the horizontal slot (25). The
length of the guide plate (26) is chosen so that it hides the
inside of the cover from the user. In the first embodiment, the
guide plate (26) extends to the right and left of the opening (25),
while in the second, it has the same size and is connected at its
ends to the lateral edges of the opening by walls (251).
[0035] The actuating member (1) is essentially made up of a push
button (11) and a blocking element (12), these two elements being
connected together by a fastening plate (13).
[0036] The push button (11) consists essentially of an actuating
plate (111) which can have a domed or curved shape and whose
peripheral edge can extend downwards by a vertical flange (112). On
its lower face, the actuating plate is provided with an outlet
conduit for the product to be sprayed. This conduit consists of a
first portion (113) and a second portion (114). The first portion
(113) is substantially vertical and defines a vertical axis of
symmetry (A2) which is marked schematically by a cross in FIG. 2.
It should be noted that the push button by itself does not
necessarily have rotational symmetry. The free lower end of the
first portion (113) of the outlet conduit serves as a connection
end-piece for coupling it to the valve dispensing rod. For this
purpose, the free end is slightly flared to facilitate assembly of
the dispensing head on the dispensing rod of the container. If the
dispensing head is intended for a female type valve, the connection
end-piece is replaced by a rod for actuating the female valve. The
second portion (114) of the outlet conduit can be inclined (for
example, perpendicular) relative to the first portion, and is fixed
to the actuating plate (111). The free end of the second portion
(114) of the outlet conduit ends in a housing for a nozzle. To
prevent the push button from coming out of the cover, retaining
shoulders can be provided on the lower edge of the flange
(112).
[0037] The shape of the actuating plate (111) and its flange (112)
is complementary to the shape of the opening (21) of the cover and
of its optional flange, preferably allowing a clearance between the
two to avoid friction. The retaining shoulders (if there are any)
extend away from the flange (112) so that when assembled, they
cannot pass through the opening (21) and are retained by the
latter.
[0038] On the lower face of the actuating plate (111), the push
button (11) is provided with a blocking rib (115) parallel to the
displacement direction of the push button between the rest position
and the actuating position. In practice, this direction is
substantially vertical.
[0039] In the first embodiment, the rib is in the extension of the
flange (112), so that it is aligned with the edge of the actuating
plate, slightly offset from the plane defined by the two portions
(113, 114) of the conduit.
[0040] In the second embodiment, this rib is located under the
actuating plate, preferably in a radial plane, in particular in the
plane defined by the two portions (113, 114) of the conduit. The
locking rib (115) is in the shape of an inverted L. The first
branch extends along the actuating plate and the second branch
protrudes downwards.
[0041] The fastening plate (13) has the general shape of an
inverted L. This fastening plate is vertical and preferably has the
shape of a circular arc, where the center of the circle can be
located on the axis of symmetry (A2). The first branch of the L
extends horizontally from the lower edge of the second portion
(114) of the outlet conduit near its free end. It has, on its
vertical lateral edges, two fins (131) directed towards the center
of the actuating member. These fins (131) are parallel to each
other. The thickness of this first branch is chosen so that, in the
assembled state, it can penetrate, preferably by force, into the
slots (241) of the fastening ribs (24) of the cover. The distance
separating the fins (131) of the fastening plate is greater than or
equal to the distance separating the opposite faces of the two
fastening ribs (24). The second branch of the L is directed
downwards and can terminate in a support (132).
[0042] The blocking element (12) is constituted by a pivoting part
(121) articulated on the fastening plate (13), preferably on the
support (132), by a joint (122). This joint may be in the form of a
pin hinge or a film hinge defining a vertical axis of rotation
(A3), that is, parallel to the axis (A2) defined by the first
portion (113) of the outlet conduit. The pivoting part (121) is
provided, at its end opposite from the hinge, with a control
element (123). The pivoting part has, just before the control
element, an upwardly open groove (124), the width of which is at
least equal to the thickness of the guide plate (26) of the cover.
It could also be envisioned to place the control element (123) on a
vertical plate fastened to the end of the pivoting part (121) so
that this plate is placed facing the opening (25) whatever the
position of the control element.
[0043] In order to hold the blocking element in one of the extreme
positions, namely, the locked position or the unlocked position,
the guide plate (26) can be provided with retaining studs (261) and
the groove (124) can be provided with a corresponding recess on one
of its faces, which, in this case, is a slot (124a). In addition,
to ensure contact between the guide plate (26) and one of the walls
of the groove (124), it is preferable to provide on the second face
of the groove (124) an extra thickness, for example a stud or a
molding (124b).
[0044] Between the hinge (122) and the control element (123), the
pivoting part (121) has a horizontal bearing surface (125). This
bearing surface is provided with a notch (126) in the shape of a
circular arc.
[0045] In the first embodiment, the bearing surface (125) at the
notch is placed on the pivoting part (121) so that it is at the
same level as (or at a level just below) the lower face of the
first portion (113) of the outlet conduit when the push button is
in the rest, that is, non-depressed position. In the example shown
here, the bearing surface extends from the hinge (122) to the
groove (124). The notch (126) is surrounded on the side of the
bearing surface (i.e., upwards) by a half-cylinder (127) which is
not completely aligned with the notch so that there remains a
semicircular shoulder (128) around the notch and inside the
half-cylinder. This shoulder is clearly visible in FIGS. 11b and
12. It constitutes a blocking surface. The dimensions of the notch
are sufficient to allow the valve dispensing rod (311) to pass
through, but not the lower end of the first portion (113) of the
outlet conduit.
[0046] In the second embodiment, the upper face of the bearing
surface (125) is provided with a half-cylinder (127) placed around
the notch (126), preferably in alignment with it. The dimensions of
the notch (126) are sufficient to allow the lower end of the first
portion (113) of the conduit to pass through. Thus, there is no
blocking shoulder as in the first embodiment. However, the height
of the half-cylinder is chosen so that, in the locked position,
there is little or no clearance between the upper edge of the
half-cylinder (127) and, on the one hand, the lower edge of the
first branch (115a) of the blocking rib, and on the other hand, the
lower edge of the second portion (114) of the conduit. Conversely,
in the unlocked position, the top of the half-cylinder (127) is
sufficiently out of the way so that it is not in the path of the
blocking rib (115) and the second portion (114) of the conduit.
[0047] In both embodiments, it is provided that the lower edge of
the stop rib (115), more precisely the lower edge of the second
branch (115b) in the second embodiment, comes to abut against the
bearing surface (125) of the blocking element when the latter is in
the locked position. The portion of the bearing surface where this
contact occurs is placed on the pivoting part (121) so that it is
at the same level as (or at a level just below) the lower edge of
the blocking rib, more precisely of the second branch (115b) in the
second embodiment, when the push button is in the rest, that is,
non-depressed, position. Conversely, in the unlocked position, the
entire bearing surface (125), or at least this contact portion, is
sufficiently out of the way so that it is not in the path of the
rib.
[0048] The two components, namely the cover (2) and the actuating
member (1), are assembled to form the dispensing head, before
mounting the dispensing head on an aerosol container. For this
purpose, the blocking element (12) is folded from its molding
position visible in FIG. 2 until the half-cylinder comes to bear
against the first portion (113) of the conduit. For this purpose,
the blocking element pivots about the hinge (122). The actuating
member (1) is inserted in this position from below into the cover
(2) until the fastening plate (13) enters the slots (241) of the
fastening ribs and the free end of the second portion (114) of the
outlet conduit is located facing the orifice (22) of the cover. In
this position, the push button (11) is placed in the space defined
by the edge of the opening (21), with the actuating plate (111)
flush with the said edge. The control element (123) comes to be
housed in the groove formed between the cover and the guide plate
(26) so that it can move freely therein. It penetrates into the
slot (25) of the cover, and can even project slightly out of the
cover to be easily grasped from the outside. The guide plate (26)
penetrates into the groove (124) of the pivoting part of the
blocking element.
[0049] The junction between the fastening plate (13) and the second
portion (114) of the outlet conduit constitutes a hinge around
which the push button (11) can pivot in order to actuate the valve.
In the rest position, the push button (11) is in the high position,
that is, flush with the edge of the opening (21). It can be
depressed by pivoting around its hinge to actuate the valve.
[0050] In the assembled state, the blocking member (12) is
pivotable about the hinge (122) between a first position, referred
to as the locked position, in which the control member (123) abuts
against a first lateral end of the slot (25), and a second
position, referred to as the unlocked position, in which the
control element (123) abuts against the second lateral end of the
slot.
[0051] In the first embodiment, in the locked position, the
semi-circular blocking shoulder (128) is located below the lower
end of the first portion (113) of the outlet conduit, the edge of
the notch (126) leaving a passage for the dispensing rod of a
valve. In addition, the lower end of the locking rib (115) bears or
almost bears on the bearing surface (125). By "almost bears", it
should be understood that there is a clearance between the bearing
surface and the locking rib, where this clearance can even allow
the possibility of moving the push button in the direction of the
actuating position, but only to a very small extent, so that this
displacement is too short to actuate the valve. It is thus not
possible to press the push button, because the first portion (113)
of the outlet conduit comes to abut directly against the blocking
shoulder (128) and the locking rib against the bearing surface.
This is the position shown in particular in FIGS. 11b and 12. In
the unlocked position, the semi-circular blocking shoulder (128)
and the bearing surface are sufficiently spaced so that the lower
portion of the first portion (113) of the outlet conduit can pass
in front of the notch (126) and the locking rib can move down
freely. It can thus be understood that, in the unlocked position,
the control element (123) is located against the lateral edge of
the slot (25) that is on the side of the hinge (122).
[0052] When the blocking element (12) is in the locked position,
the push button (11) is blocked in several places. In the first
embodiment, this blocking occurs, on the one hand, at the contact
between the lower end of the first portion (113) of the conduit and
the blocking shoulder (128), as shown in FIGS. 11b and 12, and on
the other hand, at the contact between the lower edge of the
locking rib (115) and the bearing surface (125) near the control
element (123), as shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 13b. In the second
embodiment, there is contact, on the one hand, between the upper
edge of the half-cylinder (127) and, on one side, the lower edge of
the first branch (115a) of the blocking rib, and on the other side,
the lower edge of the second portion (114) of the conduit, and, on
the other hand, between the lower edge of the second branch (115b)
of the blocking rib and the bearing surface (125), as shown in FIG.
19b.
[0053] Conversely, when the blocking element (12) is in the
unlocked position, the half-cylinder (127) is sufficiently spaced
to no longer interact with the lower edge of the first conduit
portion (113), as shown in FIG. 5a, for example, or with the lower
edge of the first branch (115a) of the blocking rib and the lower
edge of the second conduit portion (114), as shown in FIG. 17a, for
example. Similarly, the bearing surface (125) is sufficiently
spaced from the blocking rib (115), more precisely from the second
branch (115b) of the blocking rib in the second embodiment, so that
it is not in the path of this rib during the displacement of the
push button (11) toward the valve.
[0054] The actuating member bears against the valve cup, on the one
hand, at the hinge (122), and on the other hand, at the lower face
of the pivoting portion (121) between the notch (126) and the
groove (124). Further, in the locked position, it bears against the
dome of the cup thanks to a second half-cylinder coaxial with the
first (127) and located on the lower face of the pivoting portion
(121), or at a lower wall.
[0055] It is possible to dimension the half-cylinder (127) so that
its ends extend beyond the 180.degree. arc so that the inlet slot
thus formed is slightly narrower than the diameter of the lower end
of the first portion (113) of the conduit. Thus, it is possible, in
the locked position, to snap the half-cylinder (127) of the
pivoting portion onto the lower end of the first conduit portion
(113). However, the ends are sufficiently flexible so that only a
slight effort is required to take the conduit out of the
half-cylinder. This constitutes, along with the retaining studs
(261) of the guide plate (26) and the corresponding slot (124a) of
the groove (24), means for retaining the pivoting part (121) in the
locked position. In this case, the term half-cylinder must be
understood in a broader sense than as a cylinder having an angular
development equal to 180.degree..
[0056] Although the blocking member may be a separate part attached
to the push button by a pin hinge, it is also possible to mold the
entire actuating member in one piece. In this case, the blocking
element is molded in a position spaced apart, for example, by
between 45.degree. and 90.degree., from its normal position
(locked/unlocked), in order to give access to the bottom of the
push button. This is the position shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the
dispensing head consists of only two parts.
[0057] FIGS. 11a and 11b show the dispensing head (1) of the
invention mounted on an aerosol container (3) provided with a male
valve (31). The end-piece located at the lower end of the first
portion (113) of the conduit is fitted onto the stem (311) of the
valve. The cover is fixed to the container (3) by its bulge (23)
engaged behind a shoulder of the housing (32).
[0058] The exemplary embodiments show dispensing heads with two
blocking means. It is self-evident that it would be possible to
provide only a blocking shoulder (128), only a rib bearing on the
bearing surface (125), or only a rib bearing on the half-cylinder,
or even only an abutment of the second channel portion against the
top of the half-cylinder.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0059] 1 Actuating member [0060] 11 Push button [0061] 111
Actuating plate [0062] 112 Vertical flange [0063] 113 First portion
of the outlet conduit [0064] 114 Second portion of the outlet
conduit [0065] 115 Blocking rib [0066] 115a First branch [0067]
115b Second branch [0068] 12 Blocking element [0069] 121 Pivoting
part [0070] 122 Hinge [0071] 123 Control element [0072] 124 Groove
[0073] 124a Recess (slot) [0074] 124b Over-thickness [0075] 125
Bearing surface [0076] 126 Notch [0077] 127 Half-cylinder [0078]
128 Blocking shoulder [0079] 13 Fastening plate [0080] 131 Fins
[0081] 132 Support for the blocking element [0082] 2 Cover [0083]
21 Opening [0084] 211 Flange of opening [0085] 22 Outlet orifice
for the passage out of the nozzle [0086] 23 Bulge [0087] 24
Vertical fastening ribs [0088] 241 Vertical slots [0089] 25
Horizontal slot [0090] 251 Side walls of the slot [0091] 26 Guide
plate [0092] 261 Retaining studs [0093] 3 Aerosol container [0094]
31 Valve [0095] 311 Dispensing rod of the valve (stem) [0096] 32
Housing [0097] A1 Axis of symmetry of the cover [0098] A2 Axis of
symmetry of the conduit [0099] A3 Axis of rotation of the pivoting
part
* * * * *